"...Congratulations on acquiring the Breath of the Ages Martial Art, at the monuntal price of 12 billion Pearls!"
Lord Morval presented a smile that was more ceremonial than sincere as he glanced at Drathan. Then, raising both hands theatrically toward the audience, he proclaid,
"With this, we officially conclude today’s auction. Thank you all for your presence!"
An explosion of noise followed.
Voices overlapped in waves of excitent, awe, and admiration.
"Ha-ha! Congratulations, Lord Drathan!"
"No one else could’ve earned that art. It was always ant for you."
"A new record, without a doubt! Only soone like you could push the price that far, Lord Drathan—haha!"
Even though the auction was declared over, not a single soul pulled out yet.
The entire plaza remained frozen in a strange, electric suspension.
So of the elites seated among the clouds stepped forward to personally congratulate Lord Drathan.
anwhile, guests in the lower sections buzzed with hushed conversation, whispering like scholars after a revelation, dissecting every detail of today’s spectacle.
Because today... had been no ordinary auction.
The events were staggering, one shock after another.
The sudden reveal of a Galaxy Seed in Lord Hedrick’s possession.
The crackling tension between him and Lord Zarion.
And not just him—also between him and the mysterious Lord Human, whose wealth had surpassed every imagination.
A new price record shattered for an S-Class artifact...
Then another, even higher, for a Fifth-Rank Martial Art...
And the greatest twist of all—the announcent that the Sixth Great Truth Chosen was drawing near.
Even if everyone here stayed the entire night, talking non-stop... it still wouldn’t be enough to unpack everything that had happened.
And surprisingly, the Soul Society made no attempts to disperse the audience. On the contrary, dozens of radiant fairies descended into the plaza like falling petals, soothing the atmosphere with grace. They set up tables, summoned comfortable lounges, offered refreshnts—everything to make the attendees feel welco to stay longer.
"...Elinor. Let’s leave."
Rinara’s voice was calm, her tone cool like soone who’d already weighed all consequences.
"Just like that? Shouldn’t we go down and congratulate our little friend?"
Elinor didn’t look convinced. In fact, she took a step forward, as if her instincts were pulling her toward the crowd.
"No. If we approach him now, from the middle of this ocean of people, it’ll raise suspicion. If he pretends not to know us, we’ll be humiliated. If he acknowledges us, the consequences might be even worse."
Rinara’s head swayed from side to side.
"We don’t know anyone nad Human. Erase the na from your mind. But... we will reach out to our dear Robin soon. That, I promise. Now let’s go."
And with that final note, Rinara’s avatar shimred and faded into the air, as though she had never been there.
"Heh~"
Elinor gave a cute, montary pout. But then her expression slowly twisted into a mischievous smile.
"Yes... we definitely need to speak with our little friend soon."
And she too vanished, her presence swallowed up behind her sister’s.
"...."
In a quiet corner of the arena, the old man with the dog’s head slowly raised his tired eyes toward Cloud No. 100.
The folds of age made it hard to keep his eyelids open, but his gaze—despite the years—was sharp. Piercing. Even unsettling.
He stared for a full minute without blinking. Then, at last, his stern face softened, and a low chuckle rumbled from his throat.
"Hohoho... well then... that settles it.
The tal-faced man wasn’t bluffing with that threat. We better cover our backs while we still can—hmm?"
He turned to his side, expecting a reply.
But the spot beside him was now... empty.
The spiked-head had vanished.
"Hmm. Looks like his pride took a blow... Young blood is always volatile. Let’s hope he doesn’t do sothing reckless, heh~"
The old man sighed, then slowly tilted his head, giving a final wave before he too disappeared.
Ba-dump.
Robin’s heart thundered like a war drum inside his chest.
The cheering crowds, the thunderous applause, the congratulations for Lord Drathan—all of it had faded into background noise.
To him, the world had gone silent.
Because right now, he was struggling to breathe.
"Hooooh~"
He let out a long exhale, as if trying to breathe the weight off his shoulders, trying to ground himself, stabilize his trembling mind.
But nothing worked. He was completely overwheld.
Twelve billion Pearls.
Twelve...
Billion...
Pearls.
For a martial art that he himself had created in just a few years!
The spirit fairy floated gently in a slow arc around him, her small wings humming softly as she observed him with a mix of concern and curiosity.
"....."
Robin finally looked up. His eyes, dark and sharp, radiated a cold intensity.
"Four hundred million Pearls... Really?"
His voice was low, clipped, and clearly bitter.
The fairy’s calm deanor faltered as she flitted back half a ter in surprise.
"Anomaly? So you’re saying the entire crowd just woke up this morning and decided to hand charity money to ’poor little Human’ to improve his lifestyle?"
Robin’s sarcasm was biting, and he punctuated his remark with a scoff, shaking his head as if he couldn’t decide whether to laugh or fu.
The fairy raised one glowing finger, regaining her composure.
She floated a little closer, speaking in a more deliberate tone.
She leaned in slightly, as if about to reveal a sacred secret.
"...."
Robin nodded slowly, his gaze softening a fraction.
Yes, he had seen the flicker of hesitation—of vulnerability—in Lord Hedrick’s eyes.
The fairy lifted a second finger.
"....."
Robin’s pupils widened, his breath catching slightly.
For just a second, he was genuinely speechless.
The fairy floated upward, her tone lowering into sothing more confidential.
"..."
Robin’s brow furrowed deeply.
To think that all those titanic figures were playing a diplomatic ga... centered on him?
He suddenly felt the weight of a thousand invisible eyes bearing down on his na.
Her tone darkened ever so slightly.
She crossed her arms, hovering level with Robin’s chest.
"..."
Robin inhaled slowly, absorbing the avalanche of information. Then, he raised his eyes and gave her a sideways glare.
"Let guess... Lord Morval asked you to feed all this, didn’t he?"
The fairy spun in place, twirling in a playful circle as sparkles of soul energy trailed her.
Just then, a new voice echoed from the side:
"Congratulations on your win, Lord Human."
"Hmm?"
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